U.S. patent application number 13/326687 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for apparatus and method for controlling data in portable terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Yeon-Kyung CHO.
Application Number | 20120154266 13/326687 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46233707 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120154266 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHO; Yeon-Kyung |
June 21, 2012 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DATA IN PORTABLE TERMINAL
Abstract
Provided is an apparatus and method for controlling data in a
portable terminal, which can control data in the portable terminal
while minimizing the motion of both hands of a user of the portable
terminal. An apparatus for controlling data in a portable terminal
includes a plurality of sensors disposed at the sides of the
portable terminal to detect data control actions, and a control
unit for controlling the data according to the data control actions
detected by the plurality of sensors.
Inventors: |
CHO; Yeon-Kyung;
(Gyeongsangbuk-do, KR) |
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Gyeonggi-Do
KR
|
Family ID: |
46233707 |
Appl. No.: |
13/326687 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1626 20130101;
G06F 1/1694 20130101; G06F 2200/1637 20130101; H04M 2250/12
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/156 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/00 20060101
G09G005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0130992 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for controlling data in a portable terminal,
comprising: a plurality of sensors provided at the sides of the
portable terminal to detect data control actions; and a control
unit for controlling the data according to the data control actions
detected by the plurality of sensors.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the types and functions of the
sensors detecting the data control actions vary according to a
horizontal or vertical orientation of the portable terminal.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit performs a
horizontal scroll function or a vertical scroll function according
to a horizontal movement or a vertical movement detected by at
least one of the sensors. performs a zoom-out function or a zoom-in
function according to a right movement and a down movement or a
left movement and an up movement that are simultaneously detected
by the two adjacent sensors.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit zooms in or
zooms out to a predetermined scale according to double inputs that
are simultaneously detected by the two adjacent sensors.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first sensor and a second
sensor are provided at opposite ends of the portable terminal and a
third sensor is provided at a bottom end of the portable
terminal.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the
data according to the data control actions detected by the second
sensor and the third sensor during a horizontal mode of the
portable terminal, and controls the data according to the data
control actions detected by the third sensor and the first sensor
during a vertical mode of the portable terminal.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control unit: performs a
horizontal scroll function or a vertical scroll function according
to a horizontal movement or a vertical movement detected by the
second sensor and the third sensor during the horizontal mode of
the portable terminal; performs a zoom-out function or a zoom-in
function according to a right movement and a down movement or a
left movement and an up movement that are simultaneously detected
by the second sensor and the third sensor; and zooms in or out a
predetermined scale according to double inputs that are
simultaneously detected by the second sensor and the third
sensor.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control unit: performs a
horizontal scroll function or a vertical scroll function according
to a horizontal movement or a vertical movement detected by the
third sensor and the first sensor during the vertical mode of the
portable terminal; performs a zoom-out function or a zoom-in
function according to a right movement and a down movement or a
left movement and an up movement that are simultaneously detected
by the third sensor and the first sensor; and zooms in or out to a
predetermined scale according to double inputs that are
simultaneously detected by the third sensor and the first
sensor.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein controlling the data according
to the data control actions detected by the plurality of sensors
according to the data control actions is performed using a single
hand.
10. A method for controlling data in a portable terminal,
comprising: determining whether data control actions are detected
by a plurality of sensors disposed at the sides of the portable
terminal; and controlling the data according to the data control
actions detected by the plurality of sensors.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the types and functions of the
sensors detecting the data control actions vary according to a
horizontal or vertical orientation of the portable terminal.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the controlling of the data
comprises: performing a horizontal scroll function according to a
horizontal movement that is detected by at least one of the
sensors; performing a vertical scroll function according to a
vertical movement that is detected by at least one of the sensors;
performing a zoom-out function according to a right movement and a
down movement that are simultaneously detected by the two adjacent
sensors; and performing a zoom-in function according to a left
movement and an up movement that are simultaneously detected by the
two adjacent sensors.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the controlling of the data
comprises: zooming in or out to a predetermined scale according to
double inputs that are simultaneously detected by the two adjacent
sensors.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein a first sensor and a second
sensor are provided at both opposite ends of the portable terminal
and a third sensor is provided at a bottom end of the portable
terminal.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the controlling of the data
comprises: controlling the data according to the data control
actions detected by the second sensor and the third sensor in the
horizontal mode of the portable terminal, and controlling the data
according to the data control actions detected by the third sensor
and the first sensor in the vertical mode of the portable
terminal.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the controlling of the data in
the horizontal mode of the portable terminal comprises: performing
a horizontal scroll function according to a horizontal movement
that is detected by the second sensor; performing a vertical scroll
function according to a vertical movement that is detected by the
third sensor; performing a zoom-out function according to a right
movement and a down movement that are simultaneously detected by
the second sensor and the third sensor; performing a zoom-in
function according to a left movement and an up movement that are
simultaneously detected by the second sensor and the third sensor;
zooming in to a predetermined scale according to double inputs that
are simultaneously detected by the second sensor and the third
sensor; and zooming out the zoomed-in to a previous scale according
to double inputs that are simultaneously detected by the second
sensor and the third sensor.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the controlling of the data in
the vertical mode of the portable terminal comprises: performing a
horizontal scroll function according to a horizontal movement that
is detected by the third sensor; performing a vertical scroll
function according to a vertical movement that is detected by the
first sensor; performing a zoom-out function according to a right
movement and a down movement that are simultaneously detected by
the third sensor and the first sensor; performing a zoom-in
function according to a left movement and an up movement that are
simultaneously detected by the third sensor and the first sensor;
zooming in the display to a predetermined scale according to double
inputs that are simultaneously detected by the third sensor and the
first sensor; and zooming out to a previous scale according to
double inputs that are simultaneously detected by the third sensor
and the first sensor.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein controlling the data according
to the data control actions detected by the plurality of sensors
according to the data control actions is performed using a single
hand.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 of a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 20, 2010 and assigned Serial
No. 10-2010-0130992, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and
method for controlling data in a portable terminal, and more
particularly, to an apparatus and method for controlling data while
minimizing both hand motion of a portable terminal user.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Recently, portable terminals have evolved to provide a high
speed data communication as well as a voice communication. For
example, in the IMT-2000 mobile communication network, the portable
terminal can perform high-rate data communication as well as voice
communication. In this type of network, data processible by the
portable terminal may include packet data and video data.
[0006] Most portable terminals are now equipped with a camera or a
TV receiver. The portable terminal with a camera can capture images
for transmission and also display moving pictures and still
pictures. The portable terminal with a TV receiver can display the
received video signals for viewing. Further, the portable terminals
are now equipped with a touchscreen unit serving as an input unit
and a display unit to control data display on the touchscreen unit
though simple actions such as a screen touch and a screen drag.
[0007] In operation, a user of the portable terminal typically will
hold the terminal with one hand and performs a screen touch/drag
action with the other hand. However, the weight of the portable
terminal may strain the wrist of the user during operation. Also,
the user may be inconvenienced due to frequently moving/removing of
the other hand to/from the screen of the portable terminal during
data control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to
provide an apparatus and method for controlling data in a portable
terminal, which can control data in the portable terminal while
minimizing both hand motion of a user of the portable terminal.
[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus for controlling data in a portable terminal includes: a
sensor unit including a plurality of sensors disposed at the sides
of the portable terminal to detect data control actions; and a
control unit for controlling the data according to the data control
actions detected by the sensor unit.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method for controlling data in a portable terminal includes:
determining whether data control actions are detected by a
plurality of sensors disposed at the sides of the portable
terminal; and controlling the data according to the data control
actions detected by the respective sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of
certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a horizontal mode of a
portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a vertical mode of a
portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B are flow diagrams illustrating a process for
controlling data in a portable terminal according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be
described below in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings where same reference numerals in the drawings denote like
elements. The present invention may, however, be embodied in
different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and
will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those
skilled in the art.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a portable terminal according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor
unit, a control unit 110, a data processing unit 120, a radio
frequency (RF) unit 123, an audio processing unit 125, a memory
unit 130, a camera unit 140, a video processing unit 150, and a
touchscreen unit 160. The sensor unit includes a first sensor 101,
a second sensor 102, and a third sensor 103. Although three sensors
are shown in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes, it should be noted
that more than three sensors can be applied according to the
teachings of the present invention.
[0019] The RF unit 123 performs a wireless communication function
of the portable terminal. The RF unit 123 includes an RF
transmitter for upconverting and amplifying a TX signal, and an RF
receiver for low-noise-amplifying and downconverting an RX signal.
The data processing unit 120 includes a transmitter for encoding
and modulating the TX signal, and a receiver for demodulating and
decoding the RX signal. For example, the data processing unit 120
includes a modem and a codec. Herein, the codec includes a data
codec for processing packet data, and an audio codec for processing
audio signals (e.g., voice signals). The audio processing unit 125
processes an RX audio signal outputted from the audio codec of the
data processing unit 120, and transmits a TX audio signal,
generated by a microphone, to the audio codec of the data
processing unit 120.
[0020] The memory unit 130 may include a program memory and a data
memory. The program memory may store programs for controlling a
general operation of the portable terminal, and programs for
controlling data according to data control actions detected by the
sensor unit.
[0021] The control unit 110 controls an overall operation of the
portable terminal. In particular, the control unit 110 controls the
data according to data control actions detected by the sensor unit.
In an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 110 is configured to
perform a horizontal scroll function or a vertical scroll function
according to a horizontal movement or a vertical movement defined
by the user's finger ativation detected by the sensor of the sensor
unit. The control unit 110 is also configured to perform a zoom-out
function or a zoom-in function according to a right movement and a
down movement or a left movement and an up movement that are
simultaneously detected by the two adjacent sensors of the sensor
unit.
[0022] Further, the control unit 110 is configured to zoom in the
display to a predetermined scale according to two consecutive
inputs (e.g., a double tap) that are simultaneously detected by the
two adjacent sensors of the sensor unit (hereinafter referred to as
a double input) and to zoom out the zoomed-in display to the
previous scale according to another double input in the two
adjacent sensors of the sensor unit.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the
sensor unit includes the first sensor 101, the second sensor 102,
and the third sensor 103 disposed at both sides and the bottom side
of the portable terminal, and the control unit 110 controls data
according to the data control actions detected by the second sensor
102 and the third sensor 103 touched with the thumb and the index
finger of the right hand of the user when the portable terminal is
in horizontal mode.
[0024] In operation, the control unit 110 is configured to perform
a horizontal scroll function or a vertical scroll function
according to a horizontal movement or a vertical movement detected
by the second sensor 102 or the third sensor 103 when the portable
terminal is in horizontal mode.
[0025] The control unit 110 is configured to perform a zoom-out
function or a zoom-in function according to a right movement and a
down movement, which are simultaneously detected by the second
sensor 102 and the third sensor 103, or a left movement and an up
movement, which are simultaneously detected by the second sensor
102 and the third sensor 103, when the portable terminal is in
horizontal mode.
[0026] The control unit 110 is configured to zoom in the display to
a predetermined scale according to a double input in the second
sensor 102 and the third sensor 103 and to zoom out the zoomed-in
display to the previous scale according to another double input in
the second sensor 102 and the third sensor 103, when the portable
terminal is in horizontal mode.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the
sensor unit includes the first sensor 101, the second sensor 102,
and the third sensor 103 disposed at both sides and the bottom side
of the portable terminal, and the control unit 110 controls data
according to the data control actions detected by the third sensor
103 and the first sensor 101 touched with the thumb and the index
finger of the right hand of the user when the portable terminal is
in vertical mode.
[0028] In operation, the control unit 110 is configured to perform
a horizontal scroll function or a vertical scroll function
according to a horizontal movement or a vertical movement detected
by the third sensor 103 or the first sensor 101 when the portable
terminal is in the vertical mode.
[0029] The control unit 110 is configured to perform a zoom-out
function or a zoom-in function according to a right movement and a
down movement, which are simultaneously detected by the third
sensor 103 and the first sensor 101, or a left movement and an up
movement, which are simultaneously detected by the third sensor 103
and the first sensor 101, when the portable terminal is in vertical
mode.
[0030] The control unit 110 is configured to zoom in the display to
a predetermined scale according to a double input in the third
sensor 103 and the first sensor 101 and to zoom out the zoomed-in
display to the previous scale according to another double input in
the third sensor 103 and the first sensor 101, when the portable
terminal is in the vertical mode.
[0031] The sensors of the sensor unit are disposed at the sides of
the portable terminal to detect data control actions, and the types
and functions of the sensors detecting the data control actions
vary according to the horizontal/vertical modes of the portable
terminal. The sensors of the sensor unit may be any sensors that
can detect data control actions such as a horizontal movement, a
vertical movement, and an input.
[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the portable terminal has
the second sensor 102 and the first sensor 101 located at both
sides thereof and the third sensor 103 located at the bottom side
thereof. Herein, the second sensor 102 and the first sensor 101 may
be symmetrical to each other and may be adjacent to the bottom side
of the portable terminal.
[0033] Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, when the portable terminal
is in the horizontal mode, data may be controlled according to the
data control actions detected by the second sensor 102 and the
third sensor 103 touched with the thumb and the index finger of the
right hand of the user.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, when the portable terminal is in
the vertical mode, data may be controlled according to the data
control actions detected by the third sensor 103 and the first
sensor 101 touched with the thumb and the index finger of the right
hand of the user.
[0035] The camera unit 140 includes a camera sensor for capturing
video data and converting the video data into an electrical signal,
and a signal processing unit for converting an analog video signal,
captured by the camera sensor, into digital data. The camera sensor
may include a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, and the signal
processing unit may include a digital signal processor (DSP). Also,
the camera sensor and the signal processing unit may be integrated
into one unit, or may be separated from each other.
[0036] A video processing unit 150 performs an image signal
processing (ISP) operation to display video signals, outputted from
the camera unit 140, on the touchscreen unit 160. Examples of the
ISP operation include gamma correction, interpolation, spatial
change, image effects, image scaling, auto white balance (AWB),
auto exposure (AE), and auto focus (AF).
[0037] The video processing unit 150 processes the video signals,
outputted from the camera unit 140, on a frame basis, and outputs
the frame video data according to the size and characteristics of
the touchscreen unit 160.
[0038] Also, the video processing unit 150 includes a video codec
to compress the frame video data displayed on the touchscreen unit
160 and restore the compressed frame video data into the original
frame video data. The video codec may include a JPEG codec, an
MPEG4 codec, or a Wavelet codec. The video processing unit 150 may
have an on-screen display (OSD) function to output OSD data in
accordance with a display screen size under the control of the
control unit 110.
[0039] The touchscreen unit 160 may operate as a display unit and
an input unit. When operating as a display unit, the touchscreen
unit 160 may display video signals outputted from the video
processing unit 150 and may display user data outputted from the
control unit 110. When operating as an input unit, the touchscreen
unit 160 may display keys for inputting numeral and character
information and function keys for setting various functions.
[0040] Hereinafter, a process for controlling data in the portable
terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.
1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B.
[0041] FIGS. 3A and 3B are flow diagrams illustrating a process for
controlling data in the portable terminal according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] The following description is made on the assumption that the
portable terminal has the sensor unit including the first sensor,
the second sensor, and the third sensor disposed at both sides and
the bottom side of the portable terminal. However, it should be
noted that other combination of sensors can be provided at
different location in the terminal to perform the equivalent
function, thus the exact location of the sensors taught herein
should not limit the scope of the invention.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 3A, when the portable terminal is in
horizontal mode as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the control unit 110
detects this in step 301 and waits to receive a detection signal
from the second sensor 102 and the third sensor 103 touched with
the thumb and the index finger of the right hand of the user.
[0044] When a horizontal movement/activation on the sensor is
detected by the second sensor 102 during the display of data in the
horizontal mode of the portable terminal, the second sensor 102
detects this and transmits a horizontal movement detection signal
to the control unit 110. When receiving the horizontal movement
detection signal from the second sensor 102, the control unit 110
detects the generation of the horizontal movement in the second
sensor 102 in step 302 and performs a horizontal scroll function on
the data according to the horizontal movement speed in step
303.
[0045] When a vertical movement/activation on the sensor is
detected by the third sensor 103 during the display of data in the
horizontal mode of the portable terminal, the third sensor 103
detects this and transmits a vertical movement detection signal to
the control unit 110. When receiving the vertical movement
detection signal from the third sensor 103, the control unit 110
detects the generation of the vertical movement in the third sensor
103 in step 304 and performs a vertical scroll function on the data
according to the vertical movement speed in step 305.
[0046] When a right movement/activation of the user's finger on the
sensor is detected by the second sensor 102 during the display of
data in the horizontal mode of the portable terminal, the second
sensor 102 detects this and transmits a right movement detection
signal to the control unit 110. Also, when a down movement is
simultaneously detected by the third sensor 103, the third sensor
103 detects this and transmits a down movement detection signal to
the control unit 110.
[0047] When simultaneously receiving the right movement detection
signal and the down movement detection signal from the second
sensor 102 and the third sensor 103, the control unit 110 detects
the simultaneous generation of the right movement and the down
movement in the second sensor 102 and the third sensor 103 in step
306, and in turn performs a zoom-out function on the data according
to the frequency of the simultaneous generation of the right
movement and the down movement in the second sensor 102 and the
third sensor 103 in step 307.
[0048] When a left movement is detected by the second sensor 102
during the display of data in the horizontal mode of the portable
terminal, the second sensor 102 detects this and transmits a left
movement detection signal to the control unit 110. Also, when an up
movement is simultaneously detected by the third sensor 103, the
third sensor 103 detects this and transmits an up movement
detection signal to the control unit 110.
[0049] When simultaneously receiving the left movement detection
signal and the up movement detection signal from the second sensor
102 and the third sensor 103, the control unit 110 detects the
simultaneous generation of the left movement and the up movement in
the second sensor 102 and the third sensor 103 in step 308 and
performs a zoom-in function on the data according to the frequency
of the simultaneous generation of the left movement and the up
movement in the second sensor 102 and the third sensor 103 in step
309.
[0050] When a double input of finger being touched on the sensor
twice is detected by the second sensor 102 during the display of
data in the horizontal mode of the portable terminal, the second
sensor 102 detects this and transmits a double input detection
signal to the control unit 110. Also, when a double input is
simultaneously detected by the third sensor 103, the third sensor
103 detects this and transmits a double input detection signal to
the control unit 110.
[0051] When simultaneously receiving the double input detection
signals from the second sensor 102 and the third sensor 103, the
control unit 110 detects the simultaneous generation of the double
inputs in the second sensor 102 and the third sensor 103 in step
310 and zooms in the data display to a predetermined scale in step
311.
[0052] Thereafter, when receiving the double input detection
signals again from the second sensor 102 and the third sensor 103
simultaneously while the data display is zoomed in to the
predetermined scale, the control unit 110 detects the simultaneous
generation of the double inputs in the second sensor 102 and the
third sensor 103 in step 312 and zooms out the zoomed-in data
display to the previous scale in step 313.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 3B, when the portable terminal is in
vertical mode as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the control unit 110
detects this in step 314 and waits to receive a detection signal
from the third sensor 103 and the first sensor 101 touched with the
thumb and the index finger of the right hand of the user.
[0054] When a horizontal movement is detected by the third sensor
103 during the display of data in the vertical mode of the portable
terminal, the third sensor 103 detects this and transmits a
horizontal movement detection signal to the control unit 110.
[0055] When receiving the horizontal movement detection signal from
the third sensor 103, the control unit 110 detects the generation
of the horizontal movement in the third sensor 103 in step 315 and
performs a horizontal scroll function on the data according to the
horizontal movement speed in step 316.
[0056] When a vertical movement is detected by the first sensor 101
during the display of data in the vertical mode of the portable
terminal, the first sensor 101 detects this and transmits a
vertical movement detection signal to the control unit 110.
[0057] When receiving the vertical movement detection signal from
the first sensor 101, the control unit 110 detects the generation
of the vertical movement in the first sensor 101 in step 317 and
performs a vertical scroll function on the data according to the
vertical movement speed in step 318.
[0058] When a right movement is detected by the third sensor 103
during the display of data in the vertical mode of the portable
terminal, the third sensor 103 detects this and transmits a right
movement detection signal to the control unit 110. Also, when a
down movement is simultaneously detected by the first sensor 101,
the first sensor 101 detects this and transmits a down movement
detection signal to the control unit 110.
[0059] When simultaneously receiving the right movement detection
signal and the down movement detection signal from the third sensor
103 and the first sensor 101, the control unit 110 detects the
simultaneous generation of the right movement and the down movement
in the third sensor 103 and the first sensor 101 in step 319 and
performs a zoom-out function on the data according to the frequency
of the simultaneous generation of the right movement and the down
movement in the third sensor 103 and the first sensor 101 in step
320.
[0060] When a left movement is detected by the third sensor 103
during the display of data in the vertical mode of the portable
terminal, the third sensor 103 detects this and transmits a left
movement detection signal to the control unit 110. Also, when an up
movement is simultaneously detected by the first sensor 101, the
first sensor 101 detects this and transmits an up movement
detection signal to the control unit 110.
[0061] When simultaneously receiving the left movement detection
signal and the up movement detection signal from the third sensor
103 and the first sensor 101, the control unit 110 detects the
simultaneous generation of the left movement and the up movement in
the third sensor 103 and the first sensor 101 in step 321 and
performs a zoom-in function on the data according to the frequency
of the simultaneous generation of the left movement and the up
movement in the third sensor 103 and the first sensor 101 in step
322.
[0062] Similar to FIG. 3a, when a double input is detected by the
third sensor 103 during the display of data in the vertical mode of
the portable terminal, the third sensor 103 detects this and
transmits a double input detection signal to the control unit 110.
Also, when a double input is simultaneously detected by the first
sensor 101, the first sensor 101 detects this and transmits a
double input detection signal to the control unit 110.
[0063] When simultaneously receiving the double input detection
signals from the third sensor 103 and the first sensor 101, the
control unit 110 detects the simultaneous generation of the double
inputs in the third sensor 103 and the first sensor 101 in step 323
and zooms in the data display to a predetermined scale in step
324.
[0064] Thereafter, when receiving the double input detection
signals again from the third sensor 103 and the first sensor 101
simultaneously while the data display is zoomed in to the
predetermined scale, the control unit 110 detects the simultaneous
generation of the double inputs in the third sensor 103 and the
first sensor 101 in step 325 and zooms out the zoomed-in data
display to the previous scale in step 326.
[0065] Although the data control operation of the present invention
has been described in the context of the sensors disposed for the
right-handed user, it may be similarly applicable to the case of
disposing the sensors for the left-handed user. Although the data
control actions detected by the sensor unit have been described in
the context of the scroll function, the zoom-out/in function, and
the function of zooming in to a predetermined scale, the data
control operation may be similarly performed while performing a
predetermined function through various other actions detected by
the sensor unit.
[0066] As described above, the present invention provides an
apparatus and method for controlling data in a portable terminal,
which can control the data while minimizing the motion of both
hands of the user of the portable terminal, and can protect the
wrist of the user by reducing the load of lifting the portable
terminal with one hand. Note either left or right hand can be used
according to the teachings of the present invention.
[0067] The above-described methods according to the present
invention can be realized in hardware or as software or computer
code that can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD ROM, an
RAM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magneto-optical disk or
downloaded over a network, so that the methods described herein can
be executed by such software using a general purpose computer, or a
special processor or in programmable or dedicated hardware, such as
an ASIC or FPGA. As would be understood in the art, the computer,
the processor or the programmable hardware include memory
components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash, etc. that may store or receive
software or computer code that when accessed and executed by the
computer, processor or hardware implement the processing methods
described herein.
[0068] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and
details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the
detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims,
and all differences within the scope will be construed as being
included in the present invention.
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